When I wrote The Onion Field, I realized that my first two novels were just practice.

I was never a wet-eyed, passionate writer; I was always a policeman.

I enjoy doing the research of nonfiction; that gives me some pleasure, being a detective again.

When I wrote The Onion Field, I realized that my first two novels were just practice.

Probably 95 percent of the things that are written never get on the screen.

Every time I write a nonfiction book I get sued.

When I interview people accused of capital offenses, I never even ask if they did it. I would consider that unprofessional.